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‘It’s difficult’ – Man City told to loan out ‘top young player’ as he ‘might improve’

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Manchester City have a difficult decision to make on Liam Delap this summer. The 19-year-old has proven too good for youth football but isn’t guaranteed regular playing time in City’s first-team this season, so Pep Guardiola must decide whether to sell him, loan him out or give him opportunities when possible at senior level.

Southampton have shown an interest in Delap but would prefer a permanent deal. City rate the 19-year-old highly and would prefer a temporary move so they can bring him back next year, but Gabriel Agbonlahor says the situation is “difficult”. He acknowleged there is stiff competition for playing time but says a loan is the best option.

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Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “It’s difficult because there are top players ahead of him at City,. But they like the young players at City – Delap, Palmer, McAtee are top young players. They’re only going to go from strength to strength in the coming years.

“I feel that Man City would rather keep them and integrate them into the first-team with the League Cup games and some other competitions. I’d rather a loan if I were City. He might just improve even more with a season away and his stock rises even more.”

Delap joined from Derby County in 2019 and has gone to make six appearances, scoring one goal. At youth level, the England U19 international has scored 10 goals with seven assists from 16 games for the U18s and scored 35 goals with nine assists from 36 games for the U23s, so he’s ready for the step up.

But with Phil Foden flourishing by staying with the first-team, there is an argument for Delap to be kept in Manchester so he can learn from Guardiola and his talented teammates.

In other news, Man City willing to pay £40m for Marc Cucurella who ‘submitted transfer request’ after rejected bid

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